Tagged: us department of treasury

Freedom of Speech: Tornado.Cash Enigma Explained

The sanctioning of Tornado.cash, a crypto mixing service, has riled many in the crypto-world. This past week, the US Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), targeted the mixer as it is said to launder the proceeds of cybercrime – not just benign… Read More

Coin Center Defends Tornado Cash: A Smart Contract is a Robot Not a Person

As was earlier covered, the US Department of Treasury, via the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned crypto mixer Tornado Cash.  Mixers are used to boost the privacy of crypto transacts but may also be used to obfuscate nefarious activity. Coin Center, a… Read More

US Department of Treasury Targets Another Crypto Mixer as Tornado.Cash Gets Sanctioned

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has targeted another crypto mixer by sanctioning Tornado Cash. Most recently, in May, OFAC sanctioned Blender.io, a mixer that is said to be utilized by North Korea  for its “malicious cyber activities and… Read More

US Department of Treasury Issues Request for Comments on Digital Assets

The US Department of Treasury has issued a request for comments pertaining to the risks and opportunities affiliated with digital assets or crypto. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Nellie Liang issued the following statement on the request: “For consumers, digital assets may present… Read More

President’s Working Group Convenes to Discuss Stablecoins

The President’s Working Group (PWG) on Financial Markets met today to discuss the topic of stablecoins. In 2021, the PWG published a report on stablecoins requesting legislation stating: “…in the absence of Congressional action, which is urgently needed to address the prudential risks inherent in… Read More

Coin Center Sues the US Department of Treasury Regarding Infrastructure Bill and New Crypto Regulation

Coin Center, the not-for-profit digital asset advocacy group, has sued the US Department of Treasury. According to a blog post from several days ago, Coin Center has taken umbrage to a portion of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law in 2021, that… Read More

US Department of Treasury Targets Russian Sanction Evaders Including Crypto Mining Operation Bitriver

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has moved once again to take action against Russian entities as part of the growing sanctions against the rogue nation and its unprovoked war against Ukraine. In the first action of its kind,… Read More

Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen Discusses, CBDCs, Stablecoins, & Digital Asset Innovation

Speaking at American University today, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen addressed the emerging sector of digital assets as well as stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Secretary Yellen reflected on the growth of digital assets, rising from just $14 billion to around $3… Read More

US Department of Treasury Sanctions Hydra Market, Garantex, Along with 100 Crypto Wallets Associated with Dark Web Marketplace: $25 Million in Bitcoin Seized

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned dark web marketplace Hydra Market, labeling it a pernicious site for malicious cybercrime services, dangerous drugs, ransomware, and other illicit activity. Hydra Market is said to be based in Russia. Also sanctioned, Garantex is a crypto exchange… Read More

Secretary of Treasury Yellen Issues Statement on Digital Asset Executive Order

Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen has issued a commend on the Executive Order published today that addresses the fast-growing digital asset industry. Secretary Yellen said that President Joe Biden’s order calls for a coordinated approach to digital asset policy: “This approach will support responsible innovation… Read More

Here is FinCEN Alert on Russian Sanctions and Evasion, Includes “Virtual Currency Exchanges”

Yesterday, FinCEN, the enforcement branch of the US Department of Treasury, posted an Alert on “Increased Vigilance for Potential Russian Sanctions Evasion Attempts.” Russia, along with Belarus, have been targeted with economic sanctions designed to pressure these countries following the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. FinCEN… Read More

White House Report: Executive Order on Crypto Regulation Expected this Week

Multiple reports are claiming that the White House will issue an Executive Order on cryptocurrency at some point this week. The news follows days of concern from some policymakers that Russia and its elites may leverage crypto to evade the growing list of economic sanctions…. Read More

US Department of Treasury Has Contacted Crypto Firms About Possible Cyber Attacks by Russia

The US Department of Treasury has been contacting cryptocurrency platforms cautioning them about the possibility of cyber-attacks emanating from Russia following Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine. According to a report by Reuters, a person with knowledge of the conversations said following the sanctions leveled against… Read More

US Department of Treasury: Sanctions Restrict Russia’s Access to Billions Following Premeditated and Unprovoked Invasion of Ukraine

The US Department of Treasury has issued a statement today following a flurry of international actions over the weekend that sought to cut off Russia from global markets while freezing assets of certain individuals and other entities. Treasury said the actions were taken following the… Read More

Crypto Miners, Staking Platforms Won’t Have to Report Transactions to IRS: Report

In a bit of good news for the crypto mining sector and staking platforms, it is being reported that crypto miners and stakers will not have to report transactions to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The news was posted by Bloomberg who stated it… Read More

US Department of Treasury Reports on Money Laundering in the Art Market, NFTs May Present New Risk

Yesterday, the US Department of Treasury issued a statement on illicit activity in the “high-value art market.” More specifically, activities that include money laundering and terrorist financing risks. The study found that while there is some evidence of money laundering risk in the high-value art… Read More

US Department of Treasury to Work with Israel on Ransomware Threat, Partner on Fintech

The US Department of Treasury has announced it will work with Israel in a partnership to combat the threat of ransomware. The two countries also affirmed a commitment to encouraging “robust Fintech innovation,” while also reinforcing the necessity of working together to combat cyber threats…. Read More

Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo Outlines Risks and Concerns Regarding Cryptocurrency

Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo delivered a presentation today at the LINKS Conference by Chainalysis. Adeyemo outlined the risk and concerns that policymakers have when dealing with the burgeoning digital asset or cryptocurrency markets. While voicing his opinion on these risks, Adeyemo did… Read More

US Department of Treasury Targets Crypto Exchange for Facilitating Ransomware, Laundering

Ransomware attacks have become quite prevalent with nefarious actors targeting domestic firms, frequently demanding ransom in crypto. Today, the US Department of Treasury has announced a group of actions designed to mitigate ransomware activity including designating crypto exchange SUEX OTC as a “complicit financial service”… Read More

US Presidents Working Group on Financial Markets Discusses Stablecoins

Yesterday, the U.S. Presidents Working Group (PWG) on Financial Markets met to discuss stablecoins with an expectation of a recommendation in the coming months. The meeting was convened by the Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen. According to a readout distributed by Treasury, during… Read More

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